I appreciate the opportunity to continue to serve you, the citizens of Iberia Parish, as your Sheriff for the next four years. When you first elected me, I told you that one of my goals was to change the image of the office. That continues to be an important priority. We have tackled many issues and made much progress. However, we are not finished. I need your help to continue to provide the citizens of our parish with the high level of safety and protection which they deserve.

Much has been said about the upcoming ¼ cent sales tax to be used primarily for paying the salaries and benefits of your Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Deputies, which will appear on the April 27th ballot. If this proposal is approved by the voters of Iberia Parish, it will generate approximately $3.5 million annually for much-needed pay raises for the dedicated, hard working deputies of Iberia Parish who protect you, your families, and your businesses while only costing us an additional $0.25 for each $100.00 that we spend here in the Parish.

Law enforcement officers have some of the most dangerous and stressful jobs, yet they are so often underappreciated and underpaid. It is no different here in Iberia Parish. I have been able to provide the employees of your Sheriff’s Office with pay raises totaling approximately 12% during my first four years in office while also trying to be financially responsible with the monies that you have entrusted me with. However, the deputies here in Iberia Parish still make substantially less than the other law enforcement officers in our immediate area. Less than those in Lafayette, St. Martin, and Vermilion Parishes. In many instances, over $10,000.00 a year less than the deputies in those parishes. As a result, I have lost over 20 deputies to other jobs paying them substantially more money. Most of them indicated to me that they enjoyed their time here at the Sheriff’s Office but could no longer support their families on what they were being paid.

Every day the deputies of the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office put on their gear and go to work protecting you and I, not knowing whether they will safely return home to their own families and loved ones. Despite the low pay and dangers associated with their jobs, they do it anyway. They put their lives on the line every day to protect the citizens of Iberia Parish. Over 75% of those deputies reside here in Iberia Parish. They are your family members, neighbors, and friends. Most of them grew up here, are raising their families here and I want to keep them here in Iberia Parish. However, I cannot do so without being able to pay them a competitive wage. That is why this upcoming election is so very important.

Since taking office in July of 2020, my office has responded to over 70,000 calls for service from the citizens of Iberia Parish. As the parish grows, these calls for service will only increase. We are very fortunate here in this parish to see the economic development that is taking place. Prospective businesses generally come to areas where good law enforcement exists and is expected. For this economic development to continue here in Iberia Parish, we must send our current and prospective businesses a strong message about our commitment to public safety. That is another reason why this upcoming election is so important.

To those of you who have voted early, I thank you. To those who have not yet voted, you will have an opportunity on Saturday to let our community know how deeply you are committed to public safety and how much you appreciate and respect our law enforcement community, especially the deputies of the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office and their families.

Tommy Romero is the Iberia Parish Sheriff. For more information about the April 27 election, including where to vote and what is on your ballot, visit voterportal.sos.la.gov/Home/VoterLogin.